Formal Wedding Ceremony 5 - A Christian-Lite Ceremony with an opening prayer and Christian themes

Formal Wedding Ceremony 5

This is a short and sweet more traditional ceremony with Christian elements. Many couples seeking my services as a professional wedding officiant are looking for a balance between the religious practices and beliefs of their families and their less religious lives.  

This ceremony has an opening prayer and I've quoted scriptures you usually hear in a wedding but use them in a way that we aren't reading them directly from a bible.  Most couples find that to be a happy medium that works for them.  You can add more Christian elements to the ceremony if you choose, adding Christian vows, ring blessings, and a Christian unity ceremony like a Unity Candle or God's Cross. You can switch out the final blessing and pronouncement with Christian options as well. 

I'm not a religious minister.  I'm a professional wedding officiant.  I'm happy to add the Christian options I provide but I do not write or deliver sermons and I do not administer communion.  If you are looking for those options, please find a minister trained in those things to marry you. 

I have another Christian wedding ceremony option you can read here. It has much more traditional wording with a bit of a Baptist flare. 

---

Opening Prayer

O God, Creator of us all, we thank you for the gift of life and on
this day we thank you especially for the joy that Name and Name
have found in each other, and for the promises they will make before you.
Bless all of our families and friends who are present with us on this special occasion.
We also remember those who couldn't be here today, particularly  (you can name people here if you like)
We pray, O God, that you remain with Name and
Name as a partner in their marriage. Grant to them, and to us all,
love and understanding all of our days. Amen

Please Be seated.  

Welcome

Welcome!  Thank you for joining us here today, for coming from far and wide to celebrate the joining together in marriage of Name and Name. We gather here today to celebrate their love for one another and  their decision to live together as a married couple.

We have come here as a community of family and friends to love and support the two of them. To witness their entrance into the sacred and joyous covenant of marriage, and to celebrate the beginning of your journey that is your marriage.

Name and Name, we are all happy  that you have found each other And that through each other, You have come to know the power of love. We celebrate your union of hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.  And wish you great joy and a loving and happy marriage.

Words about Love and Marriage

In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are their community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment.  This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because they are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way. Today we have come together to celebrate the love you have found with each other. By being here with you, Each of us is declaring our support For your decision to join together in marriage.

As families and friends, all of you here form their community of support That surrounds Them. Each of you, by your presence here today, Is being called upon to uphold them In honoring and loving each other. Always stand beside them, Never between them. Offer them your love and support, Not your judgment. Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts, And honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today.

Marriage is the ultimate relationship because it offers the opportunity of limitless intimacy between two people. It is a great and challenging adventure into the depths and heights of human caring, Affection, trust and understanding. 
Marriage is a journey of transformation into the profound mysteries of life and creation. In marriage, two become one and, the two of you together is much greater than the simple sum of your parts. In marriage, We do not give ourselves to another, But rather surrender into something greater.  We surrender to love itself. Today, you step into a much fuller experience and expression of the mysteries and miracles of love.  

Your precious union is lovely in its innocence, Mighty in its strength, And abundant with possibilities. It belongs to you both. Over time you will give it identity. We wish for you the wisdom, strength of character, and divine creativity To make this a happy marriage, A safe harbor. And a joyful journey to share. 

Name and Name, as you prepare to take your vows. I would like to remind you of the words of 1 Corinthians.   It tells us that Love is patient and kind. So be patient and loving with each other.  Love does not envy, it does not boast, and it is not proud. With that in mind, promise to build each other up, encouraging each other in all that you do. Love is neither rude nor self-seeking, so remember to be kind  and look out for one another. Love is not easily angered and it keeps no record of wrongs. So, remember to forgive and forget.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ​

When asking the question, why do we marry? The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Name and Name, remember that your marriage, your love, and the source of your love will always be there for your both 
​
Declaration of Intent
Christian 'I do' options

Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner in life, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

I do  

Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner in life, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

I do  

Meaning of the Rings

Me we have the rings please...

The ring is a circle... an ancient symbol of eternity and completeness, so perfect, with no beginning and no end, for love that is given comes back around again.

Ring Exchange
Christian Ring  Exchange Options

Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger,  please repeat after me:  

Name, I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.

Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger,  please repeat after me:  

Name, I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.

Unity Ceremony
You can replace this with a different unity ceremony 

Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. 
These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. 
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
​
Final Blessing
Christian Final Blessing Options

Name and Name, may you live happily ever after. May all your days be blessed with love and friendship. May each day and night of your lives be a new beginning. May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer day. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart. May you always feel that what you have is enough.

May the two of you be blessed by God, may your hearts stay connected, and may you love long and happily in one another’s arms.  

The Pronouncement
Christian Pronouncement Options

I now pronounce you Husband and Wife/Married/Partners for Life!

You may seal this marriage with a kiss!

---

** Formal Ceremony 1 ** Formal Ceremony 2 - Traditional, Non-Religious ** Formal Ceremony 3 - Modern and Romantic **
** Formal Ceremony 4 - Short and Sweet ** Formal Ceremony 5 - Christian-lite ** Formal Ceremony 6 - Secular Humanist **
** Formal Ceremony 7 - Interfaith-Jewish ** Formal Ceremony 8 - Modern Handfasting ** Formal Ceremony 9 - Christian Traditional **
​** Formal Ceremony 10 **​

** Formal Wedding Ceremony Guide ** Formal Wedding Ceremony Scripts ** Elopement Ceremony Guide ** Elopement Ceremony Scripts ** Parts of a Wedding Ceremony ** Vow Writing Guide ** Unplugged Ceremony ** Opening Prayers ** Welcoming ** Moment of Silence ** Declaration of Support ** About Love and Marriage ** Non-Religious Readings ** Christian Readings ** Secular I-do's! ** Christian I-do-s! ** Ring Meaning ** Ring Blessings ** Secular Ring Exchanges ** Christian Ring Exchanges ** Unity Ceremonies ** Secular Blessings ** Christian Blessings ** The-pronouncement-Secular  ** The Pronouncement - Christian **